'Think of us in Canada': Harper asks U.K. to remember their 'most reliable' ally in speech to British Parliament

Stephen Harper asks U.K. to remember Canada in speech to Parliament

A few of the best moments from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom Thursday:

“Britain and Canada may not be today the largest economies in the world, nor the biggest military powers, nor the greatest in terms of population. But I believe we share things that are more lasting, 800 years of constitutional order and evolution that has allowed us to achieve what others wish for, to choose our governments and to hold them accountable. To worship God, in our own way, and to live in harmony with neighbours who do so differently, and to enjoy standards of living once considered unimaginable, while aiding our fellow citizens in their times of illness, unemployment and need.’’

‘‘Countries that do not bring their finances under control or that close their economies to the world, will face consequences. And those consequences are not only economic. In the absence of solvency, relevancy will also disappear. Should we fail to faithfully adhere to our values in economic matters the wider values that we wish to protect for all humanity, values of freedom, democracy and justice, of dignity, compassion and security, those values will almost certainly be eroded. And they will be eroded friends at a time, when they are most needed. Because for good to happen in this world, someone must speak up for these values, and have the will and the capacity to act, so that these values are not mere sentiments. I speak of the courage to denounce oppressors and aggressors, to counter extremist ideologies, and to confront the abominations that must not be tolerated.’’

“Syria is locked in a bloody war with its own people. And herein lies a grotesque dilemma: decent people agree that Assad must go, that Syria’s government must represent all its people, including its minorities. Yet the extremist, sectarian nature of much of the opposition cannot be ignored or wished away. Syria cannot be allowed to become another safe haven for the hydra-heads of terrorism. Such monsters already lurk far too close to home, as we have seen in the murder of Drummer Rigby, God rest his soul and bless his family, and the foiled plot in Canada to sabotage a Via Rail express.’’

“There are massive shifts, shifts of epic dimensions, taking place in the world economy. To the extent this means that traditionally less fortunate people are beginning to enjoy prosperity, and the other fruits of our values, much of this is a good thing. But there are also, as there have always been, rising powers that do not share our values, and dangerous forces that seek to destroy them. We cannot, in the face of this, be at all complacent or, as I have said elsewhere, we cannot entertain the notion, as I think some in the West do, that our wealth and influence can be assumed, that they are some kind of birthright.’’

“Some years after Prime Minister King delivered his speech here the people of Canada sent you a gift, the handsome table gracing the floor of your House of Commons, part of an allied effort to rebuild the chamber after the damages of war. A gift, no doubt, to remind you of the defence of Britain by Canadians done, from the outset, voluntarily and passionately, not simply out of the value of friendship, but also because of the friendship of values. I ask that, if you happen to find yourselves looking at that table, think of us in Canada. Perhaps not your most powerful friends, but your truest and most reliable and know, that as we tackle the great challenges of this and future eras. We shall face them together, always, and we will succeed.’’